Prelims Current Affairs includes World Thinking Day, World Peace And Understanding Day, Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation Of India (Nafed), Panama Disease (Fusarium Wilt Of Banana), Brazil & Tetanus And Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine

Important Day

1. WORLD THINKING DAY

Observed annually on 22 February by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts worldwide

Aim : to promote global solidarity and shared values.

• Observed By: Girl Scouts and Girl Guides
• Purpose: Promote international friendship, awareness, and cooperation

Important Day

2. WORLD PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING DAY

Observed on 23 February

• Objective: Promote peace, goodwill, and global understanding

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

3. GREAT NICOBAR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT

Current Context: The National Green Tribunal approved the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project citing its strategic importance and adequacy of environmental safeguards.

ABOUT GREAT NICOBAR PROJECT

• Project Nature: Large-scale infrastructure and development initiative
• Estimated Cost: Approximately Rupees Eighty-One Thousand Crore
• Project Area: 166 square kilometres
• Location: Great Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Strategic Objective: Develop economic, maritime, and defence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region
• Geographical Significance: Great Nicobar Island hosts India’s southernmost point, Indira Point

CORE COMPONENTS

• Integrated Township: Planned over about 149 square kilometres; includes residential, commercial, logistics, tourism, and defence facilities
• Transshipment Port: Proposed at Galathea Bay; aims to strengthen India’s maritime logistics role; located in ecologically sensitive zone
• Civil and Military Airport: Dual-use international airport; second air facility after INS Baaz; land acquisition impacts local families
• Power Plant: Gas and solar-based plant with 450 MVA capacity; supports project energy needs

LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• Forest Diversion: Approximately 130 square kilometres of forest land
• Tree Felling: Estimated nearly one million trees
• Land Reclamation: Required for port and airport infrastructure
• Environmental Concern: Project area includes sensitive ecosystems and wildlife habitats

IMPLEMENTATION AND GOVERNANCE

• Conceptualised By: NITI Aayog
• Implementing Agency: Andaman and Nicobar Island Integrated Development Corporation Limited
• Study Support: Pre-feasibility assessment conducted in 2021

SIGNIFICANCE

• Strategic Value: Enhances India’s maritime, trade, and defence presence
• Legal Importance: Tribunal approval may influence future projects in ecologically sensitive areas.

ORGANISATION

4. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE MARKETING FEDERATION OF INDIA (NAFED)

Current Context: The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare conducted a review meeting of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited in New Delhi.

ABOUT NAFED

• Nature: Apex organisation of agricultural marketing cooperatives in India
• Established On: 2 October 1958
• Legal Status: Registered under Multi State Co-operative Societies Act
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Regional Offices: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare

OBJECTIVES

• Marketing Role: Promote marketing, processing, and storage of agricultural and forest produce
• Trade Functions: Undertake inter-state, import, and export activities
• Support Role: Provide technical assistance to member cooperatives

DISEASE

5. PANAMA DISEASE (FUSARIUM WILT OF BANANA)

Current Context: Recently, scientists identified a gene that may help protect banana crops from Panama disease.

ABOUT PANAMA DISEASE

• Alternate Name: Fusarium wilt
• Causative Agent: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (fungus)
• Affected Crop: Banana, particularly Cavendish variety
• Transmission: Soil-borne infection through roots
• Impact: Blocks water and nutrient transport
• Common Term: Sometimes called banana cancer

SYMPTOMS

• Leaf Changes: Yellowing and wilting of older leaves
• Stem Impact: Internal browning of stem tissues
• Outcome: Plant death

INTERNATIONAL/PLACE IN NEWS

6. BRAZIL

Current Context: India and Brazil discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors.

ABOUT BRAZIL

• Location: Central-eastern South America
• Ocean Boundary: Atlantic Ocean
• Capital: Brasilia
• Geographical Position: Crossed by Equator and Tropic of Capricorn

KEY GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

• Major Regions: Brazilian Highlands, Amazon Basin, Pantanal Wetlands
• Major Rivers: Amazon, São Francisco, Iguacu
• Highest Peak: Pico da Neblina (2,999 metres)
• Natural Resources: Iron ore, bauxite, tin, copper

AMAZON BASIN

• Global Importance: Largest river basin in the world
• Ecological Significance: Hosts Amazon Rainforest, largest tropical forest

HIMACHAL NEWS

7. TETANUS AND ADULT DIPHTHERIA (Td) VACCINE

Current Context: The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare will launch the Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria vaccine at the Central Research Institute, Kasauli.

ABOUT Td VACCINE

• Purpose: Provides protection against tetanus and diphtheria
• Composition: Prepared using purified diphtheria toxoid and tetanus toxoid
• Adjuvant: Aluminum phosphate
• Preservative: Thiomersal
• Target Group: Adolescents and adults
• Manufactured By: Central Research Institute under Directorate General of Health Services
• Storage Sensitivity: Freeze and heat sensitive

About TETANUS

• Causative Agent: Clostridium tetani (bacterium)
• Nature: Acute infectious disease
• Symptoms: Muscle stiffness, spasms, lockjaw
• Severity: High fatality rate without timely treatment

About DIPHTHERIA

• Causative Agent: Corynebacterium diphtheriae (bacterium)
• Transmission: Respiratory droplets
• Symptoms: Breathing difficulty, heart complications, paralysis
• Regional Concern: High incidence in South East Asia

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